I figured I'd start this a little early to document the preparation (or lack thereof) of my journey from San Diego and south. How far south? Well I have no appointments/commitments for the next 6 months of my life so I figured Tierra Del Fuego is a good goal!

I'll try to put a lot of pictures in this thread. None likes a novel, well at least I hate them...but picture books?? Awesome!

I'm selling everything I own, purging myself of all debt, and living the dream!

A little about me...

I'm 27 years old, Philadelphia native, moved to San Diego a few years ago for work. I'm a Fabricator/designer/engineer specializing in aftermarket components for exotic cars. I find the best thing about this job is that it allows me to work wherever I please

An example of my work....Ferrari 458 challenge exhaust

I decided last month that I was going to sell my baby to afford to do this trip... I LOVED this bike. It was so awesome at what it did. Going 185mph into corner 1 at fontana is beyond words.

As much as I loved the Duc...I knew I'd have more fun on a Enduro. So I started a search for the right bike to carry me on some epic adventures....

Enter the KLR

Its the SLOWEST thing I've ever ridden, It feels like its made of soggy cardboard, it makes the worst sounds I've ever heard from a bike BUT....I LOVE IT. Its the first brand new motorcycle I've ever owned and In the last 2 months I've owned it I've already racked up 7500 miles exploring California/Arizona/Utah/Baja.

Arizona

California- Yosemite

Kings Canyon

Sequoia Nat Park

Avenue Of the Giants

Big Sur

I just got back from Yosemite and I'm now prepping everything for the southern trip. I Plan to leave November 1st... And advice/criticizm/threats/jokes... etc are welcome. My biggest problem Im facing right now is the lack of credible information about crossing the Darien. I'd rather have some sort of a plan in place before I get there but I will just show up and deal with it there and then if I have to.

Lots of aftermarket parts made for that KLR, this motorbike has a short service life if treated rough or overloaded so look at what is for sale to replace with HD suspension parts & high capacity fasteners. Pay attention to Rims & Spokes, HD tubes and fuel & air filters. Plenty of good info on ADV. Central America will be your challenge, trouble is always looking for you for sure, I was stopped 7 times in 45 miles of Honduras.

Get the Eagle Mike Doohickey upgrade kit, and go with the torsion spring. I just replaced the Doo on my own KLR after 8,000 miles, and there was absolutely ZERO adjustment left on the factory spring. The factory spring is too long.

Other than that, make sure you check the oil regularly, and enjoy the ride!

You can fly it over for about the same price as sailing it but some one correct me. My bike lands in Panama and will be trans shipped to Cartejena on a Roll on roll off ship. Gaston on here can set that up I imagine. Good luck with the ride, I'll be in Colombia in December.

Your talking about crossing the Darian? I was planning on dealing with that once I got there. Apparently the ferry is running as well. Sounds like we will be in the area at the same time! Where are you headed after colombia?

Located in Creel, they were a lot of help planning my trip in the Copper Canyon area, provided maps, advice etc in person and through multiple emails - no charge just asked that I pass their name along.
good luckhttp://www.amigos3.com

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